Army medic teams help as hospital strike bites

Army doctors were working at civilian hospitals and some patients were being sent home yesterday as a nationwide civil servants' strike, in its third day, took a toll on public services in South Africa.

Defence spokesman Siphiwe Dlamini said army medical teams were working at three hospitals in Johannesburg and at two in KwaZulu-Natal province.

The teams were providing a variety of services during a strike that has also hit schools, courts and other government departments.

Mandla Sidu, spokesman for the health department in the province that includes Johannesburg, said the department had been "inundated" with offers of help at hospitals after a plea went out for volunteers.

Those without medical training were serving food and cleaning floors, while retired nurses were providing care, he said.

Mr Sidu said 90 per cent of staff in the province's 46 hospitals were absent from work yesterday. Some were on strike, some were afraid of being confronted by angry pickets.

Private hospitals were taking some of the sickest patients.

A government spokesman for the province of Mpumalanga, Lebona Mosia, said its hospitals could handle only emergencies.

"We are releasing those who are not serious," he said.

Union officials said their members had been told skeleton staffs should remain on duty. Members were also told not to resort to violence or threats.

Johannesburg police yesterday sprayed water cannons at protesters who had started a fire at a side entrance of one hospital, the Press Association reported.

Unions are demanding 8.6 per cent wage increases and a 1,000 rand (90) housing allowance. The government is offering 7 per cent plus 700 rand (62) for housing, and has given the unions 21 days to accept the deal.